Biola University vs. San Diego State

Should I go to Biola University or San Diego State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Biola University or San Diego State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

USD UCSD UC Riverside Cal State Fullerton Cal Poly Cal State Long Beach UCSC San Francisco State UCSB ASU San Jose State UCLA
Biola University vs. San Diego State University comparison
Biola University San Diego State University College 3 College 4
Biola University San Diego State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Biola University San Diego State
Location La Mirada, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,387 37,402
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #245 #337
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website biola.edu sdsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Biola University San Diego State
Tuition (In State) $44,382 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $44,382 $17,622
Room & Board $10,522 $19,714
Avg Net Price $31,522 $13,017
Avg Grant Aid $26,521 $9,934
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 43%

Admission

Biola University San Diego State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,224 77,250
Admitted 2,392 30,331
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 39.3%
Enrolled % 29.5% 21.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.82
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 23/30 22/29
SAT Range 1105/1365 1090/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2023

Academics

Biola University San Diego State
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 25:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Biola University San Diego State
Graduation Rate 71% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $53,400
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $15,349
Median Loan Payment $253 $158

Diversity

Biola University San Diego State
% Men 45% 42%
% Women 55% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 34%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 19% 31%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

Biola University San Diego State
% In-State 65% 77%
% Out-of-State 28% 21%

Campus

Biola University San Diego State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • San Diego State University is larger than than Biola University based on total student enrollment (37,402 students vs. 5,387 students)

Biola University vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University or San Diego State?

  • Biola University is 672.9% more expensive to attend than San Diego State for in-state tuition ($44,382.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 151.9% higher at Biola University than San Diego State University ($44,382.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Diego State University than Biola University ($13,017 vs. $31,522)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 87.4% lower than costs at San Diego State University ($10,522 vs. $19,714)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Biola University than San Diego State University (100% vs. 43%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 167% larger than aid received San Diego State University ($26,521 vs. $9,934)

Biola University vs. San Diego State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University or San Diego State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between San Diego State or Biola University .

  • The average SAT score at San Diego State University (1130) is 15 points higher than at Biola University (1115)
  • Incoming Biola University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at San Diego State (25)
  • Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Biola University (3.61)
  • Biola University has a higher acceptance rate (56.6%) than San Diego State (39.3%)

Biola University vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Biola University or San Diego State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between San Diego State and Biola University.

  • The graduation rate at Biola University is higher than San Diego State University (71% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from San Diego State University earn on average $4,500 more per year than Biola University graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $48,900)
  • San Diego State University students graduate with a $9,151 lower median federal student loan debt than Biola University graduates. ($15,349 vs. $24,500)
  • San Diego State graduates are paying $95 less per month on federal student loans than Biola University graduates. ($158 vs. $253)
  • More Biola University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/